These are the first words in his letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Stevens’ complete letter – linked here as a download – was included in a news release that identifies his Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the CFPB.

The CfA letter was in response to distinct but related prior reports and demands regarding charges of racism, steering, and predatory lending lodged by the Seattle Times/Buzz Feed, plus a group of Democratic Congressmen.

The Democratic legislators demanded that the same racially charged claims be investigated by CFPB and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“I was appalled by some of the findings…,” said Maxine Waters (D-CA). “There is no place for these kinds of sleazy and deceptive practices. I was further taken aback by Mr. Buffett’s defense of Clayton’s lending practices given the concerns that were raised by the articles earlier last year.”

MHLivingNews’ report – linked here – uncovered no such accusations by any of the professionals then asked against those Berkshire Hathaway units.

Later, the Daily Business News (DBN) reported on the second piece of this CfA related story; the Democratic lawmakers who have asked the Department of Justice and the CFPB to investigate the allegations made by the left-of-center Seattle Times/Buzz Feed news report. ThatDBN report is linked here.

CfA Executive Director Daniel Stevens said, “Clayton Homes appears to have been preying on some of our most vulnerable citizens. As the company expands its footprint to reach more Americans, it is imperative to know whether the government found any wrongdoing and, if so, what actions were taken.”

The ongoing Clayton buying spree has been carefully covered by MHProNews, to see the article above, click the image.

“…The Seattle Timesaccount simply follows the long-time line of denigrating “trailers,” all in the name of selling more papers and creating notoriety. The fact that the story can be directed to ensnare Warren Buffett, billionaire investor, just adds to the article’s appeal to the public; his involvement with the industry posed as a negative catch point,” said Marty Lavin, JD – a manufactured housing lending expert.

“I am a Hispanic retailer, with a large Hispanic customer base.” said Gus Rodriguez, owner of Tejas Homes in Conroe, Texas. “I would not tolerate any predatory lending practice with any of our customers. Our relationship with 21st Mortgage and the customers they approve for financing is based on credit worthiness and their ability to pay.”

That was then.

MHProNews will reach out again to industry professionals, following this report, to see what they may think today.

On the other hand are concerns that Steven’s CfA, Democratic lawmakers and others are advancing. Would they be pushing this issue, if they didn’t believe there was evidence to support their contentions? Time will tell what the CFPB’s reports will reveal.

But how will potential revelations impact firms beyond Clayton, VMF and 21st? How will those concerns, if found to have validity, impact MHI members?

Warren Buffett, credit, Fortune, shown – as are all images on this page owned by third parties – under fair use guidelines.

According to Yahoo! Finance, Buffett said that over the course of two years, regulators from both the federal government and 25 different states have examined Clayton Homes mortgages over 65 times.

The results of those reviews were $38,200 in fines, and $704,768 in refunds made by Buffett’s brands. No further information has been found on the subject of fines and refunds at this time.

Fines and refund totals, per published media reports.

Forbes on the Clayton/Buffett Lending Controversy

Pro-business Forbes reported last year that “Last month, the Maryville, Tennessee-based company “categorically and adamantly” denied discriminating against borrowers, and defended the practices of two lending arms, Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance Inc and 21st Mortgage Corp.”

The same report noted that Buffett made “no apologies whatsoever” about Clayton’s “exemplary” lending.

Post-Charlottesville…Are They Listening?

In the wake of the emotionally-charged, post-Charlottesville America, MHProNews reached out to top executives at Clayton, Vanderbilt, and a Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI) Executive Committee member – individuals who have replied to our previous media inquiries.

Almost a day later, no denial, and no condemnation of racism has been made. An update will be planned if and when they respond to the allegations.

Given that days have passed since the CfA published their FOIA request, is it possible that Clayton, VMF and MHI are not yet ready to reply to such inquiries?

Are they tone-deaf to what’s going on in the nation? Or how this could hurt not only their firm – but also MHI, and by extension – MHI members and the broader industry at large? Does the industry need this kind of news?

Manufactured Housing Institute MHI Logo, Frank Rolfe has previously blasted MHI for failure to engage the media. Racism ought to be swiftly denied and decried. Collage and text by MHProNews.com.

NMHOA

“Tim [Sheahan] and I [Isbhel Dickens] have met with the [National Manufactured Home Owners of America – NMHOA] Board Chair and the in-house counsel for MHI and offered to try to negotiate acceptable compromise legislation regarding…[Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing].However, to no avail,” Dickens, JD, told MHProNews in January, 2016.

Dickens’ added, “It is unfortunate that abuse by a few has negatively impacted some good lenders – see this Seattle Times article:

Maybe when you [MHProNews/MHLivingNews] highlight these types of abuse and shed some light on the seamier side of the industry then we’ll be better able to have the balanced conversation you anticipate.”

Note that it was Preserving Access which allegedly brought out the long knives of anti-MH activists to oppose MHI’s bill in the first place. Will history repeat itself? This time, will the racism angle take a more prominent role?

“As the[Seattle Times/Buzz Feed News] investigation makes clear, Clayton is the nation’s largest manufactured housing company and has a “near monopolistic” grip on lending to minority borrowers seeking financing for manufactured housing reaching nearly 72% of African-American borrowers, 56% of Latino borrowers, and 53% of Native American borrowers.[5] Given Clayton’s uniquely broad control of the manufacture, sale, and financing of manufactured homes, it is imperative that their business practices comply with federal law in order to ensure affordable housing for low-and-moderate income buyers. Surely, if news outlets can launch an investigation into potential violations of federal fair lending and consumer protection laws, agencies charged with protecting the nation’s consumers should be able to investigate these allegations, and, to pursue appropriate enforcement actions.”

The question now is, will the CfA’s Freedom of Information Act request spark additional issues by MHAction, the alleged protestors of the Manufactured Housing Institute? After all, two of four executive committee seats at MHI are held by leaders working for Berkshire Hathaway.

With millions on edge after the Charlottesville incident – which was clearly racially motivated – tensions are running high all over the country.

The photo is of an actual protest against a community operation, a mock up to illustrate what has and part of what could be happening in Orlando in September. MHI Logo is provided under fair use guidelines. For the latest on the activist group responses to inquires about anti-MHI Orlando protest news, click the image above or this link here.

(Editor’s Note:MHProNews began last week preparing a post-Charlottesville statement condemning racism in conjunction with manufactured housing advocate, the Rev. Donald Tye Jr. Stay tuned for that statement and related report.)

Rev. Donald Tye, Jr. left, L. A. “Tony” Kovach, right have drafted a joint statement against racism and injustice, which will be published in the near future. Stay tuned for the compelling statement and report.

(Images credits are as shown, and when by third parties, are provided under fair use guidelines.)

Submitted by Julia Granowicz to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.